Crossing the border with Blue Jays beat reporter Jordan Bastian.

On the mend

NEW YORK — It was good news all around for the Blue Jays here at Yankee Stadium this morning.

Matt Stairs is back in the lineup after being sidelined with a sore left hip, Marco Scutaro remained in the lineup after X-rays showed no problems with his right hand that was struck with a pitch, and Dustin McGowan made his start as planned after being sent back to the team’s hotel on Wednesday with a stomach issue.

Before the game, the Globe’s Rob MacLeod asked Toronto manager John Gibbons how McGowan’s “tummy ache” was, leading to this comical exchange:

“Easy on the sarcasm. Tummy aches are for kids,” Gibbons said.

“I’m sorry, what’s it for men?” Mac countered.

After a pause, Gibbons replied with, “Stomach ailment.”

And I’m doing OK, too. I came mere feet away from being in what would’ve been a pretty wicked car accident last night. Our esteemed Yankees beat writer Bryan Hoch nearly rearended a taxi cab while we were on our way out to meet up with our friend Katy. We avoided certain doom, but I did have a stiff neck the rest of the evening. Thanks, Bry.

Anyway, in honor of my little near-death experience — OK, I’m exaggerating at this point — I’m going to bust out a Song of the Day Cathal Kelly style, pointing you all to Pearl Jam’s Alive.

5 Comments

You should either stay in the pressbox or your hotel. Always something with you, lol. If I ever see you in my travels, I will start praying, lol.

Burnett sure looked good last night. If he can stay healthy, which I think he will. He’ll make his 30 or more starts. He can opt out of his contract at the end of the year. He’ll be cashing in, no doubt. That is how it goes in sports.

Burnett and Halladay at the top of the rotation, could be the best 2 in baseball.

Jays bats are too good to struggle. I really think the Jays will be there at the end, fighting for the division and a wild card berth. We shall see. I hope for the Jays fans, I didn’t jinx the Jays.

Why Stairs in the 2 hole ? I think it should be Hill or Overbay. A mistake by Gibbons to have Stairs in the 2 hole. I would have Hill in the 2 spot. Your thoughts Jordan?

Wow! I’m glad that you are okay. Gotta hate that New York City traffic. Those cabs with just slam their brakes in the middle of the street for no good reason. It makes Toronto look like rush hour in Muskoka.

It was a tough loss tonight (Thursday) We should have had it, but the cold was a real factor. Any idea when Coats will get an at bat, he has been close twice lol. I have to admit that it was smart of Gibbins to put Stewart in DH when Frankie got ejected. I missed the pitch, did Frankie have the right to be upset?

Is defense going to be a problem again this year? Errors by Hill and Downs precipated the two wins by the Yankees. Am I the only one who is tired of Tabler and Campbell’s ceaseless praise of the Yankees? None too thrilled with Gibbon’s comments about the Yankee mystique either.

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